Career Choice

[HybridDiver]

Hey Guys, Need some help. I am young (18) I need some advice. What are the odds of making a career out of Technical diving, Make money to live off? Im stuck, I want to take the Commercial Pilot Degree but thats 50grand all student loaned. That means i would have to give up diving four couple years, But my heart is set at diving. So really I dont know what to do, I have been thinking of this for about a year and still nothing.
Need some real advice
Chris

 

[tc]

Technical diving or Commercial diving? I don't think too many people other than a few instructors, equipment manufacturers and maybe dive shop owners are making any kind of living from tech diving. And virtually none of them are making really good money doing it.

Quite a few do make a decent living from commercial diving. You would need to attend one of the commercial diving schools and then apprentice with one of the commercial diving companies. Many of those guys work in the oil industry. Do some searching on the net for more info on working conditions of commercial divers. Simplistic view- imagine doing construction work in full dive gear and living on an oil rig for weeks at a time.

Good luck to you!

 

[realdiver7]

I would think that commercial "technical diving" would have more career opportunities as far as "technical diving" goes. I am an instructor with many specialties, and I have yet to find a great diving career opportunity that could replace my full-time career that pays the bills. I work hard in a career that pays decent money so I can afford to dive, and go on dive vacations.

You could check with some of the online dive training and career placement organizations as a start.

I would also recommend learning all of the basics so they are second nature, getting as many "worthwhile" certificatons as possible, and getting as much experience as possible. I haven't seen any shortcuts to diving careers, but maybe your timing and luck may be just right one day.

 

[plot]

Typically a commercial diver has some other trade to back him up as well, like engineering or welding or something.

 

[HybridDiver]

Hmm, Well that sucks. I will have to sit down tonight and tomorrow and think about it, I could go the way my friend did. Go to the military, which could work.
Chris

 

[Bretagus]

I'm certain I come from different circumstances (don't we all?), but...

I decided to pursue chemistry as a career. I guess I decided scuba diving could never fill me completely... not that chemistry comes close, but it pays well enough to fund my scuba-addiction + room + food + beer. Not much else, but still. Whenever I'm not working, I'm usually checking scubaboard or thinking about my gear (or dives to come)... sad existence? Maybe to some, but I love it!

I guess I decided I didn't want to make one of my Hobbies (mind the capital H) a Job (again, capital J), as I felt that would ruin the fun. Others have clearly seen my logic as backwards and are as happy as can be because of it. Actually... the guys I bought tanks from today were quite content working at the LDS in order to fuel their addiction... and they made my day because of their enthusiasm for the sport!

Carve your own path, this way was simply the one I took.

EDIT

As an aside, (personal bias) -- if you are interested in a career as a commercial diver, go navy! Despite politics (war in iraq, etc), I, as a young American, believe firmly in the US armed services. Maybe I have too many friends/family in the military; regardless, I doubt you will be able to find a more prestigious institution to teach you the skills and discipline required to perform the job.

 

[Leejnd]

As an aside, (personal bias) -- if you are interested in a career as a commercial diver, go navy! Despite politics (war in iraq, etc), I, as a young American, believe firmly in the US armed services. Maybe I have too many friends/family in the military; regardless, I doubt you will be able to find a more prestigious institution to teach you the skills and discipline required to perform the job.

I believe the young man lives in Canada, which would rule this out, wouldn't it?

 

[Bretagus]

I believe the young man lives in Canada, which would rule this out, wouldn't it?

Ok ... Canadian Navy. Pardon my American ignorance of our northern partner's geography?

 

[Garrobo]

Yeah, I think that Canada has a Navy. I understand that it is a fleet of four six-pack boats and a guy with a B-B gun. They're kind of anti-firearms up there you know.

 

[johnny_bravo]

Yeah, I think that Canada has a Navy. I understand that it is a fleet of four six-pack boats and a guy with a B-B gun. They're kind of anti-firearms up there you know.

LOL Sad but true

-J.-